David Davis papers, 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)

 

Descriptive Inventory for the Collection at Chicago History Museum, Research Center

By Blanche Jantzen, 1958; rev. 2000

 

 

Please address questions to:

Chicago History Museum, Research Center

1601 North Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60614-6038

Web-site: http://www.chicagohistory.org

 

© Copyright 2000, Chicago Historical Society

 

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Title: David Davis papers, 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)

Main entry: Davis, David, 1815-1886

Inclusive dates: 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886)

Size:

9 linear ft. (33 boxes)

19 microfilm reels.

1 v. (Scrapbook).

1 oversize folder.

 

Access: This collection is open for research use.

Provenance statement: Most of this collection was a gift of Willard L. King, primarily in 1956-1958 (M1957.0050, M974.0027, M1902.19623, M1923.1000, M1961.0284, M1961.0323, M1962.0328, M1964.0455, M1964.0447, M1965.0513, M1977.0020).

Terms governing use: Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Please cite this collection as: David Davis papers (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

 

This descriptive inventory contains the following sections:

Biographical/historical note,

Summary description of the collection,

Description of some material related to the collection,

List of online catalog headings about the collection,

Arrangement of the collection,

Detailed description of archival series in the collection,

List of contents of the collection.

Older lists pertaining to the collection:

            List of original documents in the collection,

            Key to the location of originals when copies were made for this collection,

            Processor's notes about some significant copies in the collection,

            Old list of card catalog headings for this collection.

 

Biographical/historical note:

David Davis was one of the most powerful lawyers and politicians in nineteenth century Illinois. e was born at Sassafras Neck, Cecil County, Maryland, as the posthumous son of David Davis. When Davis was five years old, his mother Ann Mercer married Franklin Betts. At that time Davis went to live with his uncle, Henry Lyon Davis, at Annapolis, Maryland. He was educated at New Ark Academy, Delaware; Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio; and the New Haven Law School, from which he graduated in 1835. After several years as a law student in the office of Judge Henry W. Bishop of Lenox, Mass., he began the practice of law in Illinois: first at Pekin and then at Bloomington, where he settled permanently. He was in partnership there with Wells Colton until Colton moved to St. Louis in 1844.

 

In 1838 Davis married Sarah Woodruff Walker, daughter of Judge William Perrin Walker of Lenox, Massachusetts. They had seven children, only two of whom survived infancy: a son, George Perrin Davis, and a daughter, Sarah Davis.

 

Davis's political career included: a term in the Illinois state legislature, 1844; judgeship of the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, 1848-1862; riding the judicial circuit with Abraham Lincoln and becoming Lincoln's close associate; leadership of the "Lincoln Forces" at the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1860, where he was generally credited with success in securing the nomination for Lincoln; membership on the commission appointed by Lincoln to investigate Fremont's Missouri Department; and service as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1862-1877; and as a U.S. Senator, 1877-1883. He also served as administrator of Lincoln's estate, at the request of Mrs. Lincoln and Robert Todd Lincoln. In 1879 his wife died; four years later he married Miss Adeline Burr of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Davis died at Bloomington in June 1886.

 

Summary description of the collection:

Primarily copies of correspondence, legal documents, speeches, pamphlets, and newsclippings relating to Davis family matters or to Davis's career as a lawyer; a judge in the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, 1848-1862; Abraham Lincoln's campaign manager; Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1862-1877; and U.S. Senator, 1877-1883. Most materials were collected by Willard L. King while writing a biography of Davis. Also present are a few original Davis items plus correspondence, prepublication manuscript, and reviews relating to King's book, 1950s-1964. Topics of the Davis materials include social and economic conditions in Illinois; life in Bloomington, Ill., and family affairs; political parties, especially the Whig and Republican parties, nationally and in Illinois; presidential campaigns and elections (1856-1876); Mormons in Illinois; the Mexican War; Davis's circuit-riding relationship with Lincoln, his riding partner; the antislavery movement; the rivalry between Norman B. Judd and John Wentworth; the Lincoln-Douglas debates; newspaper activities in Missouri and Chicago during the 1860s; the Civil War and particularly Missouri during the war; Davis as the administrator of Lincoln's estate; and the selection of a successor to Chief Justice Chase.

 

Correspondents include Davis's wife Sarah Walker Davis and his son George Perrin Davis, Orville Browning, Ambrose E. Burnside, Simon Cameron, Aaron Lucius Chapin, Salmon P. Chase, Henry Clay, Grover Cleveland, Henry Winter Davis, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, Stephen A. Douglas, Ninian Edwards, Jesse W. Fell, John C. Fremont, James A. Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, John J. Hardin, James Harlan, Ozias M. Hatch, Rutherford B. Hayes, John F. Henry, William H. Herndon, Joseph Holt, Robert G. Ingersoll, Norman B. Judd, Ward Hill Lamon, Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Robert Todd Lincoln, Thomas Lincoln, Stephen T. Logan, J.E. McClure, Joseph Medill, Lambdin P. Milligan, Richard J. Oglesby, William W. Orme, Ebenezer Peck, Julius Rockwell, Winfield Scott, William H. Seward, Caleb Smith, Edwin M. Stanton, John T. Stuart, Noah H. Swayne, Leonard Swett, Samuel J. Tilden, Samuel H. Treat, Lyman Trumbull, John P. Usher, Clement L. Vallandigham, Elihu B. Washburne, Thurlow Weed, Gideon Welles, John Wentworth, Horace White, Henry Clay Whitney, and Richard Yates.

 

Correspondence about an autobiography by Davis is filed in box 1, but a copy of the autobiography is not present. This autobiography was owned by J. Grant Burke of Washington, D.C. ca. 1975.

 

Note on chronological order: For portions of the collection arranged chronologically, undated items are filed after the nearest dated item. For example, an undated from summer 1854 is filed after Aug. 31, 1854; an undated item from sometime in 1858 is filed after Dec. 31, 1858.

 

Description of some material related to the collection:

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the papers of Willard King, Mr. King's published biography of Davis, and an article by King about collecting the source materials for the biography, all cataloged separately.

 

A typed index of selected authors/recipients of items in the collection (name of person and date of document) is available at Chicago History Museum, Research Center.

 

A published description of the original David Davis papers in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (previously known as the Illinois State Historical Library) may be helpful to researchers consulting the photostats from that collection that are found at the Chicago History Museum. That published description is "The David Davis Family Papers, 1816-1943, A Descriptive Inventory," by Robert L. Brubaker (Springfield, Illinois State Historical Library, 1965).

 

List of online catalog headings about the collection:

The following headings were made for this collection in the online catalog.

Davis, David, 1815-1886--Archives.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Biography.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Family.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Political and social views.

Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1843-1926.

King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b. 1893.

Davis, George P. (George Perrin), b. ca. 1842.

Davis, Sarah, 1844-1879.

Davis, Sarah Woodruff Walker, 1814-1879.

Walker, William Perrin, 1778-1858.

Illinois. Circuit Court (8th Circuit)

United States. Supreme Court--Officials and employees.

Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Antislavery movements--United States.

Families--Illinois--19th century.

Judges--Illinois--19th century.

Lawyers--Illinois--Bloomington--19th century.

Lincoln-Douglas debates, 1858.

Mormons--Illinois--19th century.

Newspaper publishing--Illinois--Chicago--19th century.

Presidents--United States--Election--1860.

Presidents--United States--Election--1876.

Mexican War, 1846-1848.

Bloomington (Ill.)--Social conditions--19th century.

Illinois--Politics and government--19th century.

Missouri--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

United States--Politics and government--1849-1877.

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.

 

Form/genre:

Correspondence.

Legal documents.

Newspaper clippings.

Pamphlets.

Photostats.

Speeches.

Wills.

 

Added entries:

Browning, Orville Hickman, 1806-1881.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881.

Cameron, Simon, 1799-1889.

Chapin, Aaron L. (Aaron Lucius), 1817-1892.

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873.

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852.

Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908.

Davis, George P. (George Perrin), b. ca. 1842.

Davis, Henry Winter, 1817-1865.

Davis, Sarah Walker, 1844-1879.

Davis, Sarah Woodruff Walker, 1814-1879.

Dickey, Theophilus Lyle, 1811 or 12-1885.

Douglas, Stephen A. (Stephen Arnold), 1813-1861.

Edwards, Ninian, 1775-1833.

Fell, Jesse W., 1808-1887.

Frémont, John Charles, 1813-1890.

Garfield, James A. (James Abram), 1831-1881.

Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885.

Hardin, John J., 1810-1847.

Harlan, James, 1820-1899.

Hatch, O. M. (Ozias Mather), 1814-1893.

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, 1822-1893.

Henry, John F., 1847-1879.

Herndon, William Henry, 1818-1891.

Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894.

Ingersoll, Robert Green, 1833-1899.

Judd, Norman B. (Norman Buel), 1815-1878.

King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b. 1893, collector.

King, Willard L. (Willard Leroy), b. 1893. Lincoln's manager, David Davis.

Lamon, Ward Hill, 1828-1893.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.

Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882.

Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1843-1926.

Lincoln, Thomas, 1778-1851.

Logan, Stephen T. (Stephen Trigg), 1800-1880.

McClure, J. E.

Medill, Joseph, 1823-1899.

Milligan, Lambdin P.

Orme, William Ward, 1832-1866.

Peck, E. (Ebenezer), 1805-1881.

Pratt, Harry E., collector.

Rockwell, Julius, 1805-1888.

Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866.

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872.

Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864.

Stanton, Edwin McMasters, 1814-1869.

Stuart, John Todd, 1807-1885.

Swayne, Noah Haynes, 1804-1884.

Swett, Leonard, 1825-1889.

Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886.

Treat, Samuel Hubbel, 1811-1887.

Trumbull, Lyman, 1813-1896.

Usher, John Palmer, 1816-1889.

Vallandigham, Clement L. (Clement Laird), 1820-1871.

Walker, William Perrin, 1778-1858.

Washburne, E. B. (Elihu Benjamin), 1816-1887.

Weed, Thurlow, 1797-1882.

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878.

Wentworth, John, 1815-1888.

White, Horace, 1834-1916.

Whitney, Henry Clay, 1831-1905.

Yates, Richard, 1815-1873.

St. Louis Republican.

United States--Illinois--Bloomington.

 

Arrangement of the collection:

This collection is arranged in the following series.

Series 1. David Davis letters and documents, 1815-1886 (box 1-22)

Series 2. Harry E. Pratt collection (in box 22: 3 folders)

Series 3. Willard King's notes on galley proofs (in box 22)

Series 4. Microfilm (box 23)

Series 5. Willard King's correspondence, etc. about the Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):

Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of the biography (in box 29)

Series 7. Correspondence with descendants of Davis (in box 29)

Series 8. Oversize items (1 oversize folder)

Series 9. Later donations from Willard King about the biography (box 30-33, 1 v.)

 

Detailed description of archival series within the collection:

Series 1. David Davis letters and documents, 1815-1886 (box 1-22):

The bulk of the Davis papers consists of photostatic copies of correspondence, legal documents, speeches, newspaper clippings, pamphlets and other printed material, bibliographical notes, etc., relating to Davis' personal, legal, and political life. The letters include those by and to Davis, members of his family, friends, professional and political associates. They concern personal, business and official matters. The legal documents pertain to Davis's law practice and his terms of office as judge of the Eighth Illinois Circuit and as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

About half of the copies in Series 1 were copied from originals in the David Davis IV collection of family papers. In 1959, that collection was donated to the Illinois State Historical Library, which later changed its name to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

 

The period 1836-1847 includes letters from Davis to William P. Walker, his father-in-law; letters from Davis to his wife Sarah; the period 1848-1858 includes letters from Davis to his wife and to his brother-in-law Julius Rockwell and letters between members of the Eighth Circuit in Illinois, especially in regard to nominations and elections, 1856-1858.

 

The period 1860-1864 includes letters from Davis to his wife and to his son George Perrin Davis; letters between: Davis, Lincoln, Thurlow Weed, Leonard Swett, Norman Judd, John Wentworth, Henry Winter Davis; and Civil War letters between Davis and Brig. Gen. William W. Orme. The period 1865-1886 includes letters between Davis and his wife and his son; letters from Mary Lincoln to Davis; letters from Robert Todd Lincoln to Davis; and letters between: Davis, Lamon, Herndon, Black, and Bristow.

 

Series 2. Harry E. Pratt collection (in box 22: 3 folders):

This material was presented to Mr. King by Ruth Pointer Randall. Included in this section are: Pratt's correspondence in connection with research for his doctoral dissertation on Judge David Davis; a brief biography of Davis written for the Dictionary of American Biography by Prof. James G. Randall; typed copies of letters, to, by, and about Davis.

 

See also: photostatic copies of some chapters of Pratt's dissertation on Davis in Series 1.

 

Series 3. Willard King's notes on galley proofs (in box 22):

This series contains galley proofs for the biography with Mr. King's annotations.

 

Series 4. Microfilm (box 23):

There are 19 reels of  microfilm that cover about one-third of the Davis papers described in series 1, plus series 2.

 

Series 5. Willard King's correspondence, etc. about the Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):

Mr. King's correspondence and memoranda relating to his research and acquisition of source material, 1950 July 12-1957 Jan. 1.

 

Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of the biography (in box 29):

Various drafts of Chapter 2 of the Davis biography, from the first draft through intermediate stages to the final form, as an example of the numerous steps in the writing of a chapter.

 

Series 7. Correspondence with descendants of Davis (in box 29: 3 folders):

Letters by and to descendants of David Davis.

 

See also: List of original items in the collection, last section.

 

Series 8. Oversize items (1 oversize folder):

a. Photostats of newspaper articles appearing in the St. Louis Morning Missouri Republican, Dec. 4, 1844-Mar. 5, 1845, concerning proceedings of the Illinois & Missouri legislatures.

b. List of the members composing the Illinois State Convention at Springfield, June 7, 1847.

c. Photostats of newspaper items from the St. Louis Republican about the Constitutional Convention of 1847.

 

Series 9. Later donations from Willard King about the biography (box 30-33, 1 v.):

This series includes an oversize scrapbook of reviews and publicity for the biography (1960-1961) as well as correspondence with publishers, readers, and others about the book, ca. 1960-1964. There also is an annotated final manuscript of the biography (640 p.). Most of this section is accession 1974.0027.

 

List of contents of the collection:

Series 1. David Davis letters and documents, 1815-1886 (box 1-22):

box 1: Davis letters, etc.: 1815-1835

 

box 2: Davis letters, etc.: 1835-1843

 

box 3: Davis letters, etc.: 1844-1847

 

box 4: Davis letters, etc.: 1848-1850

 

box 5: Davis letters, etc.: 1850 miscellany-1853

 

box 6: Davis letters, etc.: 1854-1857

 

box 7: Davis letters, etc.: 1858 Jan.-1860 May

 

box 8: Davis letters, etc.: 1860 June-Dec.

 

box 9: Davis letters, etc.: 1860 national convention-1861 Jan.

 

box 10: Davis letters, etc.: 1861 Feb.-Dec.

 

box 11: Davis letters, etc.: 1862 Jan.-Nov.

 

box 12: Davis letters, etc.: 1862 Dec.-1863 Dec.

            Davis letters, etc.: 1863-1864 miscellany

 

box 13: Davis letters, etc.: 1864 Jan.-1865 Apr.

 

box 14: Davis letters, etc.: 1865 May-1866 Nov.

 

box 15: Davis letters, etc.: 1866 Dec.-1867 Dec.

 

box 16: Davis letters, etc.: 1868-1871

 

box 17: Davis letters, etc.: 1872 Jan.-Apr.

 

box 18: Davis letters, etc.: 1872 May-1876.

 

box 19: Davis letters, etc.: 1877-1879

 

box 20: Davis letters, etc.: 1880-1882

 

box 21: Davis letters, etc.: 1883-1885

 

box 22: Davis letters, etc.: 1886

 

Series 2. Harry E. Pratt collection (in box 22: 3 folders):

Box 22 - continued

Harry E. Pratt collection of Davis documents (3 folders)

 

Series 3. Willard King's notes on galley proofs (in box 22):.

Box 22 - continued

Galley proofs for the biography with Mr. King's notes

 

Series 4. Microfilm (box 23):

box 23: 19 reels of microfilm of some items in series 1 and of series 2

 

Series 5. Willard King's correspondence, etc. about the Davis biography, 1950-1956 (box 24-28):

box 24: Willard King correspondence, July 1950-April 1952

 

box 25: Willard King correspondence, May-December 1952

 

box 26: Willard King correspondence, January 1953-February 1954

 

box 27: Willard King correspondence, March 1954-April 1955

 

box 28: Willard King correspondence, May 1955-1956

 

Series 6. Drafts of Chapter 2 of the biography (in box 29: 3 folders):

Box 29

 

Series 7. Correspondence with descendants of Davis (in box 29):

box 29 - continued

 

Series 8. Oversize items (1 oversize folder):

1 oversize folder.

 

Series 9. Later donations from Willard King about the biography (box 30-33, 1 v.):

box 30

David Davis

 

box 31

David Davis

 

box 32

David Davis

 

box 33

David Davis

 

1 scrapbook [wrapped oversize package on shelf] containing reviews, publicity materials, & correspondence from readers of King's biography of David Davis (1974.0027).

 

List of original documents in this collection

Abbreviations:

            ALS = Autograph (handwritten) letter signed by the author

            DS = Document signed by the author

a. By David Davis (in series 1):

1836 June 14; Legal document (DS)

1844 Apr; Legal document (DS)

1845 May; Legal document (DS)

1846 July 6; Legal document (DS)

1853 July 7; to "My dear Friend" (ALS)

1856 Sept.; Legal document (DS)

1857 (Aug); Legal document (DS)

1858 May 16; Legal document (DS)

1858 June 7; to Messrs. Coles, Sims & Sheldon (ALS)

1859 Mar. 17; Legal document (DS)

1859 June 20; to William H. Somer (ALS)

1868 Sept. 22; to William H. Somer (ALS)

1869 May 15; to Melville W. Fuller (ALS)

1875 Jan. 11; to "Ella" (ALS filed in 1835 folder)

1875 Apr. 24; to Mr. Hill (ALS)

1878 Feb. 9; to Arthur Sedgwick (ALS)

1878 Mar. 23; to Arthur Sedgwick (ALS)

1882 Oct. 16; Mss. note on verso of letter (filed May 20, 1856)

1884 Apr. 23; to Mr. Morton, Minister to France (ALS)

 

b. By Sarah Davis (filed in 1835 folder):

1878 Apr. 8; to "Ella" (ALS)

1879 July 14; to "Ella" (ALS)

 

c. Letters by and to descendants of David Davis (filed series 7):

Letters by Sarah Davis Lillard

Letters by Isaac Markens to David Davis IV

Letters to Mrs. Addie Green (Davis' second wife, who married J. Wharton Green after Davis' death), written by: Mrs. Edith Davis, D. R. Williams, George Perrin Davis, C.H. Moore, David Davis IV.

 

Key to the location of originals when copies were made for this collection:

On the verso of each copy in Series 1., there is a code letter that indicates the location of the original. Each roll of microfilm also carries a code letter. These code letters were used by Mr. King when he compiled this collection in the 1950s.

 

Note about items coded A, B, C, DA, DAA, DAAA, DAD, X:

When they were photostated, these items belonged to David Davis IV of Bloomington, Ill. These originals later became the David Davis papers at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (Springfield, Ill.). The ALPL collection also contains more items than are copied in the Chicago History Museum collection, mostly items relating to legal and business matters and additional papers of Davis's son and associates.

 

The following codes indicate where the originals were stored in the early 1950s:

A.                    Law office of David Davis IV, Bloomington, Illinois

B.                    David Davis IV papers

C.                    Basement of Davis Mansion, Bloomington.

DA.                 Attic of Davis Mansion (first group of papers located 1950)

DAA.              Attic of Davis Mansion (second group of papers located1953)

DAAA.           Attic of Davis Mansion (third group of papers located 1956)

DAD.              Davis attic desk in Davis Mansion

X.                    Library of Davis Mansion

 

Other codes for original items copied in the collection at Chicago History Museum:

D.        Chapin papers (including David Davis-Wells Colton correspondence), Beloit College (WI.)

DS.      Davis-Syle papers, owned by Irene Marguerite Syle of Philadelphia (ca. 1960)

G.        Green papers, University of North Carolina

H-W.   Herndon-Weik papers, Library of Congress

LCM.  Miscellaneous at Library of Congress, including Trumbull papers, Bristow papers, Gresham

papers, Washburne papers, Cameron papers, Creswell papers, Holt papers, Cleveland papers,

and Herndon-Weik papers

P.         Originals owned by Harry Pratt and used by him for his dissertation on Davis

R.        Seward papers and Weed papers, Rochester University, N.Y.

RTL.    Robert Todd Lincoln papers, Library of Congress

W.       Daniel Williams papers, Williams College, Massachusetts.

 

Old card catalog headings:

The following headings for this collection were placed in the Manuscripts Card Catalog.

Subjects:

Davis, David

Abolitionists

American Party.

Banks & Banking, Illinois.

Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881.

Campaign Literature, 1856.

Campaign Literature, 1860.

Campaign Literature, 1864.

Campaign Literature, 1872

Campbell, Hugh

Circuit-Riding.

Cabinet Officers. U.S.

Chase, Salmon Portland, 1808-1873

Copperheads.

Courts. Illinois (8th Circuit)

Courts Martial & Courts of Inquiry. U. S.

Davis, David. Family.

Democratic Party.

Douglas, Stephen Arnold, 1813-1861.

Electoral Commission, 1877.

Emancipation Proclamation.

Free Soil Party.

Fremont, John Charles, 1813-1890.

Grant, Ulysses Simpson, Pres. U. S., 1822-1885.

Hayes, Rutherford Birchard, Pres. U. S., 1822-1893.

Holt, Joseph, 1807-1894.

Illinois. Description and Travel.

Illinois. Economic Conditions.

Illinois. General Assembly.

Illinois. History.

Illinois. Politics & Government.

Illinois. State Bank.

Illinois. Constitutional Convention, 1847.

Judd, Norman Buel, 1815-1878.

King, Wallace L. Collections

Lawyers. Illinois.

Liberal Republican Party.

Lincoln Family.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Views on Slavery

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Political Career Before 1860

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Campaign, 1860.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Campaign, 1864.

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. Estate of.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 1858.

Lincoln, Mrs. Mary (Todd), 1818-1882.

Lincoln, Robert Todd, 1853-1926.

Lincoln, Thomas, 1853-1871.

Milligan, Lambdin P., 1812-1899

Missouri. General Assembly.

Missouri. History. Civil War.

Mormons & Mormonism in Illinois.

Newspapers. Missouri. St. Louis Republican.

Newspapers. Missouri. St. Louis Morning Missouri Republican

Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago Democrat.

Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago Press & Tribune

Newspapers. Chicago. Chicago Times.

Orme, William Ward, d. 1866.

Peck, Ebenezer, 1805-1881.

Presidents. U.S. Election 1876.

Presidents. U.S. Election 1860

Republican Party.

Republican Party. Illinois.

Republican Party. Natl. Conv. 2nd Chi. 1860

Real Property. Illinois

Slavery in the U.S.

Slavery in Mississippi.

Social Life and Customs. Illinois.

Tilden, Samuel Jones, 1814-1886

Trumbull, Lyman, 1813-1896

U. S. History. Civil War. Letters, etc.

U. S. History. War with Mexico, 1845-1848.

U. S. Politics & Government.

U. S. Politics & Government. Civil War.

U. S. Supreme Court.

Vallandigham, Clement Laird, 1820-1871.

Wentworth, John, 1815-1888.

Whig Party.

 

Processor's notes about some significant copies in the collection:

Note: The following chronological list describes items relative to Lincoln and his family found among the Davis papers in the Davis Mansion in Bloomington in the 1950s and not previously available for public use. Also indicated are some references to political events and prominent persons. The originals of these items were donated in 1959 to the Illinois State Historical Library, later known as the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

 

1840

Jan. 19--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Will. P. Walker; Internal Improvements in Illinois; State debt; State Bank issue.

 

1841

Jan. 22--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; Illinois politics.

Feb. 10--Bloomington; Davis to Julius Rockwell; bad govt. & debts in Illinois

 

1843 Dec. 7--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; abolitionist excitement in Illinois

 

1844

Apr. 11--Legal case; Boggs & Overton; Lincoln argued case for defendant.

May 4--Decatur, Illinois; Davis to Judge Walker; circuit-riding, Lincoln, tariff, canal, etc. (very important letter).

May 14--Bloomington; Davis to John J. Hardin; Illinois politics; abolitionists.

May 16--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; abolitionists in Illinois Democrats divided; Clay creates less excitement than Harrison.

May 25--Judge Walker to Davis; possibility of war soon due to handling of affairs by President and Calhoun; annexation of Texas; slavery must be abolished.

 

1845

Jan. 28--Springfield; Sarah Davis to Judge Walker; repeal of Nauvoo Charter; speeches in Illinois Legislature.

Feb--(1st page missing) Davis to Judge Walker; crop failures in Illinois, Negro laws; State Constitutional Convention; Nauvoo Charter; Missouri Republican–"Virginius."

Mar. 2--Springfield; Davis to Judge Walker; staying at Globe Hotel with Lincoln; interest rate; politics.

Mar. 11--South Carolina; L. W. Curtis to Wells Colton; So. Carolina Negro insurrection.

Dec. 13--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; purchase of Jesse Fell place in Bloomington; Mormons must move.

Dec. 17--Bloomington; Davis to Rockwell; population increase in Bloomington; Illinois politics; Clay's defeat; John Wentworth.

Dec. 20--Bloomington; Davis to Wells Colton; So. Carolina Negro insurrection.

 

1846

June 13--Bloomington; Davis to Colton; Mexican War; local politics (very good).

Aug. 6--Lenox, Mass.; Judge Walker to Davis; real estate in New England must fall; New Eng. can't compete with West in anything but manufacturing.

Sept. 23--Legal case; James & Francis Barnard; signed by Lincoln.

Dec. 6--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; Mexican War--climate disastrous to Illinois volunteers. (good).

Dec. 16--Philadelphia; Asahel Gridley to Davis; legal cases involving Lincoln.

 

1847

Jan. 15--Springfield; (J. R. Humos) to Davis; Lincoln's views on various legal cases.

Jan. 19--Bloomington; Davis to Judge Walker; question of moving state capitol to Peoria; Mexican War.

June 25--Springfield; Davis to Walker; State Constitutional Convention; legislature; judiciary; banking; Mex. War (very good).

Aug. 2--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; finds Mrs. Lincoln "not agreeable"; expresses disgust with politics (very important letter).

Aug. 8--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; personal remarks regarding Lincoln--his appearance, etc.

Sept. 5--Bloomington; Davis to Sarah; Constitution adopted 131 to 7; left Springfield for Tremont in company with Lincoln.

Nov--Extract from a letter by Usher F. Linder regarding relationship between Lincoln and Henry Clay.

Oct. 7--Danville, Illinois; Davis to Walker; judicial election--Logan and Williams in Const. Convention; Mex. War; Clay; Masons.

 

1848

Mar. 22--Bloomington; Davis to Dr. John Henry; Gen. Taylor and Whig nomination; Lincoln's standing in Washington.

May 16--Paris, Illinois; Dais to Walker; Whig Party in Illinois disorganized.

July 10--Danville, Illinois; J. M. Crosby to (Davis); received letter from Lincoln regarding Railroad Bill; fears amendment will defeat building of the railroads.

Nov. 30--Springfield; J. T. Logan to Davis; requests that Davis write to Lincoln regarding the removal of A. G. Herndon from land office.

 

1849

Jan. 7--Washington; N. L. Covell to Davis; Lincoln interested in land office position.

Feb. 12--Washington; Lincoln to Davis; reluctant to take position in Land Office as he would have to give up his law practice.

Feb. 21--Bloomington; Davis to Lincoln; urges him to take Land Office position as law practice in Illinois promises poor remuneration.

Apr. 24--Mt. Pulaski, Illinois; Davis to Rockwell; solicits Rockwell's support in securing Land Office position for Lincoln.

 

Apr. 26--Wyoming, Illinois; John H. Morrison to Davis; Lincoln and Land Office position; Lincoln cannot see anything north of Springfield and Jacksonville in a favorable light.

June 2--Springfield; A. H Henry to Davis; Lincoln's appointment as Land Office Commissioner discussed.

June 3--Washington; Caleb Smith to Lincoln; requests political appointment for friend.

July 6--Springfield; Lincoln to Davis; Washington trip; hopes friends will approve appointment of "Mr. B".

 

1850

Jan. 23--Springfield; William Thomas to Davis; Lincoln's opinion regarding the appointment of Logan or Lockwood as Judge--committed to Logan.

May 20--Shelbyville, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit news; Lincoln's family.

July 7--Burlington, Iowa; Davis to [Rockwell]; Lincoln and Whig nomination.

July 10--Taylorville, Illinois; L. R. Gorin to Davis; wants Lincoln's intervention in local (Taylorville) politics.

Aug. 28--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln.

Aug. 31--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; circuit news; Lincoln's family.

Sept. 23--Pekin, Illinois; Retainer of J. A. Crain, who engaged Lincoln to promote his chancery suit (Tazewll Circuit).

 

1851

Mar. 23--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; personal mention of Lincoln.

Mar. 28--Springfield; Lincoln to "Smith"; bank certificates and legal case.

Apr. 24--Clinton, Illinois Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln.

May 1--Urbana, Illinois Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; legal cases.

May 3-- Urbana, Illinois Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; legal cases.

Aug. 31--Springfield, Illinois Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln

Sept. 14--Tremont, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln

Sept. 22--Pekin, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln

Oct. 15--Urbana, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln

Oct. 20--Danville, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln; political affairs.

Oct. 27--Paris, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; political quarrel between Lincoln and Chas. Constable; U. F. Linder & Lincoln in regard to legal case.

Nov. 3--Shelbyville, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's relationship to his family.

 

1852

Feb. 3--Washington; Orland B. Fucklin to Davis; Lincoln not appointed Land Office Commissioner.

Feb. 17--Alton, Illinois; Levi Davis to David Davis; joint purchase of lots by Lincoln and David Davis.

May 6--Urbana, Illinois; note signed by Lincoln regarding a draft to Thos. Cheney.

May 7--Urbana, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's and Davis' recreation on circuit.

May 11--Danville, Ill; Davis to Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln.

May 17--Paris, Illinois Davis to Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln; Lincoln's family.

May 24--Shelbyville, Ill; Davis to Sarah; circuit riding with Lincoln

May 31--Mss. note by Lincoln on verso of letter from Grant Goodrich to Lincoln; regarding Stephen H. Douglas.

June 3--Decatur, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; circuit-riding with Lincoln.

Oct. 18--Lincoln's certification of mailing letter and bond enclosed to B. Mathewson

 

1853

Sept. 18--Stockbridge, Mass.; Sarah to Davis; Lincoln's family.

 

1854

Apr. 17--Davis to his son, George; Lincoln to speak next in Court; he inquires about George.

May 8--Pekin, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln very busy; mentions his family.

Dec. 17--Springfield; Lincoln to L. Swett; regarding copy of a book (not named); Rev. John S. Bayer.

Dec. 22--(Mt. Morris); S. M. Hitt to Davis; Lincoln's views on slavery; his election.

Dec. 23--Alton, Illinois; J. H. Murphy to Davis; offers his services to secure Lincoln's election.

 

1855

Mar. 23--Springfield; letter to Hon. O. H. Browning signed by Lincoln, Benjamin S. Edwards, and John T. Stuart, regarding the propriety of running Judge Logan for position on Supreme Bench.

July 6--Chicago; Lincoln to Rev. A. L. Chapin; deposit of money made by Lincoln for Davis, to Chapin's credit.

July 12--Receipt for July 6 deposit (above)--to Lincoln.

Nov. 4--S. M. Hitt to Davis; expresses opinions about Lincoln and Douglas.

Dec. 27--Bloomington; Davis to Rockwell; Lincoln and Douglas Debates mentioned.

 

1856

Feb. 20--Bloomington; Davis to Lincoln; forthcoming litigation regarding land titles in Beloit, Wis.

Apr. 5, 7--Legal papers in autograph of Lincoln, with his signature and those of John T. Stuart and Davis.

July 7--Springfield; Lincoln to Davis; Lovejoy nominated, Swett beaten.

 

1857

Mar. 17--Clinton, Illinois C. H. Moore to Davis; legal case with Lincoln as prosecutor.

Apr. 15--Legal paper in autograph of Lincoln; claims to real estate in Pekin.

 

1858

Mar. 8--Bloomington; Sarah to son, George; Lincoln holding court for Davis.

            Bloomington; Plea of trespass and suit, State of Illinois; bearing names of Lincoln, Davis, Swett and Whitney.

July 29--Bloomington; Davis to Dr. John F. Henry; describes Douglas in debate with Lincoln at Clinton, Illinois

Sept. 22--Lincoln, Ill; Davis to son, George; Lincoln-Douglas Debates.

Nov. 7--Danville, Illinois; Davis to son, George; Lincoln's defeat in election.

Dec. 21--Inscription by Lincoln on front page of book belonging to Geo. P. Davis.

 

1859

Jan. 25--Springfield; character reference for Samuel Hitt, written and signed by Lincoln.

Feb. 8--Urbana, Ill; Messrs. Coles & Sheldon to Lincoln; legal case.

March--List of 33 cases (legal) heard by Lincoln; written on small cards.

Mar. 9--Clinton, Illinois; Davis to son, George; Lincoln and other Illinois politicians.

Oct.--List of 25 legal cases heard by Lincoln; written on small cards.

Oct. 23--Urbana, Illinois; Davis to son, George; Lincoln feeling comfortable over elections; Harpers' Ferry mad affair.

--          Trial notes by Judge Davis of legal case in which Lincoln was counsel.

 

1860

Jan. 9--Springfield; Lincoln to Hon. L. Swett; letter of introduction for William Yates.

Mar. 4--Beloit, Wis.; George P. Davis to his grandmother; Lincoln's New York speech.

May 2--Council Bluffs, Iowa; Banking House of Officer & Pusey to Lincoln; sending deed as requested.

May 26--Springfield; Lincoln to Davis; in notation attached to letter being forwarded to Davis, Lincoln states principles he will follow before election and after (if elected)

May 26--Springfield; Lincoln to Davis; Illinois politicians discussed.

May 30--Springfield; Lincoln to Swett; will be fair to all in politics as much as possible.

June 10--Henry Winter Davis to David Davis; Lincoln's nomination.

June 11--Bloomington; Davis to son, George; Lincoln's prospects for election.

July 16--Springfield; Lincoln to Swett; Swett's proposed trip to Pa.

July 27--Springfield; Lincoln to Davis; Julius Rockwell's signing a bond.

July 31--Beloit, Wis.; (Louis Jones) to Geo. P. Davis; working for Lincoln's campaign.

Sept. 7--Lochiel; Simon Cameron to Davis; funds for Lincoln's campaign.

Sept. 10--Urbana, Illinois; E. Boyden to Davis; Champaign, Illinois will support Lincoln; difficult to raise funds.

Sept. 30--Bloomington; Davis to son, George; will lose faith in self-govt. If Lincoln loses election.

Oct. 8--Clinton, Illinois; Dais to son, George; importance of Ind. and Pa. Elections.

Oct. 10--Clinton, Ill; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's election assured if Republicans win in Ind. and Pa.

Oct. 12--Clinton, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln will be next president; his wife is very ambitious.

Oct. 15--Urbana, Illinois; Davis to Sarah; met Gov. Corwin and other political figures at Lincoln's home; Lincoln in high feather but looks as if a heavy responsibility is resting on him.

Oct. 18--Urbana; Davis to Sarah; people of Springfield do not love Lincoln's wife as they love him.

Oct. 19--Bloomington; W. H. Hanna to Davis; Caleb B. Smith's inquiries about Lincoln.

Nov. 2--Urbana; Davis to Sarah; Davis' political relations with Lincoln.

Nov. 4--Danville; Davis to Sarah; fearful responsibility will fall on L9incoln if elected.

Nov. 9--Springfield; Davis to Sarah; election results to various Illinois counties.

Nov. 11--Danville; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln, election results in Illinois, future of Illinois political parties.

Nov. 14--Danville; Davis to son, George; election results--McLean Co.

Nov. 26--(Indianapolis); John D. Defrees to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Dec. 11--Chicago; A. W. Whitney to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Dec. 18--Belvidere; S. A Hurlbut to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Dec. 22--Joliet, Illinois J. O. Norton to Davis; interview with Lincoln, cabinet, etc.

Dec. 24--Washington; Lyman Trumbull to Davis; So. Carolina, secession and Lincoln; war, if it comes, will be to maintain a constitutional government.

Dec. 26--Pittsfield, (Pa.); Rockwell to Davis; Lincoln's opinion in regard to using whatever means necessary to preserve the Union.

Dec. 26--Albany, N.Y.; Thurlow Weed to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Dec. 27--Springfield; John C. Henshaw to Davis; interview with Lincoln.

 

1861

Jan. 1--Washington; Swett to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 5--Henry Winter Davis to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 6--Camden, N. J.; Thos. H. Dudley to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 7--New York; John C. Henshaw to Davis; difficulties regarding Lincoln's inauguration in Washington overcome.

Jan. 11--Washington; J. D. Defrees to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 13--Washington, J. D. Defrees to Davis; wishes Lincoln had intimate knowledge of men now on "political chess-board".

Jan. 13--Indianapolis; Caleb B. Smith to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 14--Bloomington; Davis to son, George; Lincoln care-worn and anxious.

Jan. 15--Paris, (Illinois); W. P. Dole to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 17--New York; Mary Lincoln to Davis; appointment of N. B. Judd to cabinet.

Jan. 20--Freeport'; J. V. Shaffer to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 20--Vincennes, Illinois; C. M Allen to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Jan. 22--Indianapolis; W. L. Otto to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet

Jan. 22--Harrisburg, Pa.; Jos. Casey to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Feb. 5--Washington; Caleb Smith to Davis; Lincoln's cabinet.

Feb. 17--Buffalo, N.Y.; Davis to Sarah; describes great ovation given to Lincoln along the way from Indianapolis to Buffalo.

Apr. 17--Washington; Thurlow Weed to Davis; disappointment at Lincoln's failure to appoint any of Weed's friends.

May 13--Albany, N.Y.; (Thurlow Weed) to Davis; conversation with Lincoln; mention of appointment for Swett.

Aug. 5--Simon Cameron to Davis; discussion with President Lincoln about Davis' appointment in Washington.

Aug. 11--Washington; J. D. Andrus to Davis; cabinet badly wanting in capacity; Cameron notoriously incompetent.

Aug. 18--Washington; J. D. Andrus to Davis; Seward has no administrative ability; foreign relations in critical state.

Sept. 14--Chicago; Horace White to Davis; fearful public rage at Lincoln's revocation of Fremont's proclamation.

Dec. 8--St. Louis; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's message to Congress a failure; policies not clearly defined.

Dec. 11--Washington; Joseph Casey to Davis; Lincoln's message too mild.

Dec. 15--St. Louis; Davis to Sarah; indiscreet conduct of Mrs. Lincoln; Ward Hill Lamon not a true friend of Lincoln.

 

1862

Jan. 28--Washington; J. D. Andrus to Davis; weakness of administration; appointment of Stanton is first ray of hope.

Feb. 19--St. Louis; Davis to Sarah; "horrid" gossip about Mrs. Lincoln.

Feb. 23--St. Louis; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln's grief over death of his son.

May 3--Washington; Jos. Holt to (Davis); public excitement over report on Fremont issued by commission appointed by Lincoln.

May 5--Washington; Joseph Carey to Davis; commission's report on Fremont.

July 28--Washington; John C. Henshaw to Davis; Lincoln's friends concluding he lacks firmness of decision; has only honesty of intention.

Sept. 29--Springfield, Mo.; Will. M. Orme to Davis; Lincoln's (Emancipation) Proclamation not effective ; lacks power to enforce it.

Oct. 19--Springfield, Mo.; Will. Orme to Davis; doesn't understand why Lincoln retains McClellan; McClellan does not move.

Oct. 24--Springfield, Mo.; Orme to Davis; elections in Ohio, Ind. and Pa. are terrible reverses for administration; McClellan ruined country.

Dec. 7--Washington; Davis to Sarah; accompanied Lincoln and Gov. Chase to see a vessel built on the order of the "Monitor".

Dec. 14--Washington; Davis to Sarah; rode with the Lincolns; Mrs. Lincoln a very singular woman.

Dec. 21--Washington; Davis to Sarah; resolution passed by Republican Senators urging Lincoln to reconstruct his cabinet.

Dec. 22--Washington; Davis to (Rockwell); caucus of Republican Senators want reorganization of cabinet, aimed against Seward.

Dec. 28--Washington; Davis to Sarah; reverses of the war; Mrs. Lincoln.

 

1863

Jan. 1--Washington; Davis to Sarah; acct. of New Year's calls of various political figures on the President.

Jan. 30--Bloomington; Wm. Orme to Davis; party strife in Illinois; Democratic press and speakers denounce Lincoln as tyrant and despot.

Feb. 7--Washington; Davis to Sarah; Lincoln is in fine spirits, but Davis thinks general sentiment adverse.

Mar. 19--Henry Carrington's report on Copperheads in Indiana. 11 pp.

Dec. 16--(Washington); roger B. Taney to Davis; considerations on Supreme Court case.

Dec. 21--Lochiel, (Pa.); Simon Cameron to Davis; government personnel in War Dept., Stanton, Lincoln, etc.

 

1864

Feb. 7--Washington; Davis to son, George; agitation in Wash. about presidential election; feels sure Lincoln will be re-elected.

Feb. 9--Albany, N.Y.; H. J. Hastings to Davis; feeling in N.Y. legislature on re-nomination of Lincoln.

Feb. 9--Albany, N.Y.; Thurlow Weed to Davis; Lincoln's re-nomination; activities of "Chase men."
Feb. 24--Washington; Sarah to son, George; Lincoln family; Henry Winter Davis spoke in House of Representatives--not fond of Lincoln, not for Chase.

Feb. 25--Washington; Davis to (Rockwell); 2/3 of Congress favors Lincoln; Lincoln a wise man and won't quarrel with Chase.

Mar. 24--Albany; Thurlow Weed to Davis; circulating a document expressing confidence in the President.

Mar. 15--New York; Weed to Davis; Lincoln's re-nomination; Chase, etc.

Mar. 29--(Astor House); Weed to Davis; certain men in Appraisers' Office hostile to Lincoln.

Apr. 4--Washington; Davis to Weed; Lincoln spoke of his friendship for Weed.

Sept. 9--Eureka, Illinois; J. C. Harvey to Davis; rumors that Davis will support McClellan for presidency.

Sept. 12--(Lawrence, Kan.); Hawkins Taylor to Davis; majority of Kansas against Lincoln; Taylor stumped state in his favor.

Sept. 20--Peoria, Illinois; Isaac Underhill to Davis; rumors that Davis left Lincoln and Johnson Party to support McClellan.

Sept. 22--Bloomington; Davis to J. C. Harvey; (reply to Harvey's letter of Sept. 9) Davis denies support of McClellan; will vote for Lincoln.

 

1865

Mar. 20--Bloomington; Davis to (Rockwell); report of Andrew Johnson's drunkenness at inauguration.

Apr. 5--Chicago; Davis to Pres. Lincoln; urges him not to accept resignation of Judge Samuel C. Parks; criticizes Atty. Genl. Jas. Speed.

Apr. 12--Washington; James Speed, Atty. Genl. to Davis; reply to Davis' letter of Apr. 5 regarding Judge Parks; with mss. note by Lincoln to Davis, urging him to maintain a good relationship with Speed.

Apr. 16--Chicago; Sarah Davis to children, George and Sally; contains note by Davis to his children, saying he is leaving immediately for Washington in response to a telegram from Robt. Todd Lincoln.

May 6--Bloomington; Davis to Jas. Speed; Lincoln's apparent endorsement of Judge Park's dismissal; feels Lincoln did not read his letter thoroughly.

May 16--Washington; Jas. Speed to Davis; had Lincoln's approval in his action regarding Judge Parks and will not reverse his decision.

May 31--Springfield, Mass.; J. G. Holland to Davis; requests aid in securing material for biography of Lincoln.

June 12--New York; Geo. M. Davis to David Davis; conflicting reports as to size of Lincoln Estate; wants to know true status.

June 21--Boston; E. L. Derby to Davis; collecting fund for Mrs. Lincoln.

June 24--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; permits him to use his own discretion in disseminating information regarding value of Lincoln estate.

June 27--Hyde Park Pl.; Mary Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs.

July 7--New York; Geo. M. Davis to David Davis; injustice done to Mary Lincoln by New York Times; ownership of real estate in Iowa by Lincoln.

Aug. 8--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; his father's estate affairs.

Aug. 22--Washington; Statement of account against the estate of Abraham Lincoln, dec'd., from M. W. Galt & Bro.

Aug. 28--Council Bluffs, Iowa; Banking House of Officer and Pusey to Davis; regarding real estate held by Lincoln in Iowa.

Sept. 12--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs; recall of Judd from his mission.

Nov. 29--Washington; Jas. Harlan to Davis; Mrs. Lincoln's liabilities.

Dec. 1--Springfield, Illinois; (P.S.) Enos to Davis; notes payable to Lincoln.

Dec. 13--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs.

Dec. 22--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; claims against father's estate.

 

1866

Jan. 9--Pekin, Illinois; Wm. E. Parker to Davis; Lincoln estate matter.

Jan. 11--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; amount of Mr. Lincoln's salary to be authorized by Congress for payment to her.

Jan. 11--Springfield, Illinois; Wm. H. Herndon to Davis; asks Davis' opinion on Lincoln, his traits of character, etc., for Lincoln biography.

Jan. 25--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; guardianship of brother, Tad.

Feb. 11--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs; Lincoln's law books at Springfield.

Feb. 21--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; guardianship of brother, Tad.

Mar. 14--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; prefers not to sue for collection of a debt due the estate.

May 4--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; financial affrs.; Genl. Cameron proving himself a true friend to her.

July 21--Council Bluffs, Iowa; Banking House of Officer & Pusey to Davis; regarding Iowa real-estate belonging to Lincoln Est.

Aug. 21--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; asks Davis' advice on permitting Wm. Herndon to examine certain Lincoln Papers.

Oct. 30--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; Iowa real-estate, owned by Lincoln est.

Nov. 19--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; disapproves of lectures about his father, given by Wm. Herndon.

Dec. 5--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; asks aid in securing additional funds for herself and son, Robert.

Dec. 25--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; thanks him for interest in her affairs; hopes Cameron is elected U. S. Senator.

 

1867

Jan. 9--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; asks him to advise her son, Robt. on accompanying "Mr. Fuller" to Washington.

Jan. 14--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; asks his aid in securing financial help from Cameron.

Jan. 19--Bloomington; J. E. McClure to Davis; Supreme Court decision regarding Milligan Case lessens possibility of a military despotism.

Jan. 20--Lancaster, Ohio; T. Ewing to Davis; Milligan Case.

Jan. 22--Bloomington; W. H. Hanna to Davis; Milligan Case.

Feb. 3--Washington; Davis to John F. Henry; gives his reasons for deciding as he did in Milligan Case.

Feb.--(Chicago); Mary Lincoln to Leonard Swett; regarding her lack of funds; thanks him for his interest in her affairs.

Mar. 4--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; Herndon's lectures about her husband; the "Ann Rutledge Myth" etc.

Mar. 6--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; guardianship of son, Tad

June 17--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; guardianship of son, Tad.

June 30--Racine, Wis.; Mary Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs; Tad Lincoln's entrance in college.

July 29--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; Iowa real-estate and N. B. Judd's note due Lincoln Est.; Robt. Lincoln's law partner, Scammon.

Aug. 1--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; will end partnership with Scammon.

Aug. 2--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; Judd's business dealings with Lincoln Est.

Aug. 23--Memo of agreement between A. Lincoln and N. B. Judd, dated Sept. 1, 1850, in regard to real-estate in Iowa; sent to Robt. T. Lincoln, 1867.

Sept. 2--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; full payment of Judd's note to Lincoln Est.

Nov. 13--Account & Settlement of Est. of Abraham Lincoln, dec'd.; David Davis, Administrator.

Nov. 17--Chicago; Mary Lincoln to Davis; final settlement of Lincoln Est.

 

1868

Jan. 17--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; financial affairs; brother Tad.

Feb. 23--Washington; Davis to Sarah; proceedings regarding Pres. Johnson's impeachment.

Feb. 24--Washington; Davis to Rockwell; Milligan Case.

Mar. 4--Washington; Davis to Sarah; Pres. Johnson's impeachment.

Mar. 16--Lincoln, Illinois; Samuel C. Parks to Davis; Parks' candidacy for Congress--vs. (Shelby Moore) Cullom; Illinois politicians discussed.

Apr. 22--Aiken, So. Carolina; Davis to (Rockwell); condition of Negroes in South; Negroes and political rights; Pres. Johnson; Republican Party promoting and intensifying hatred.

Dec. 15--Frankfurt, Germany; Mary Lincoln to Davis; request from son, Robert for a loan from her; asks Davis' help to secure pension from Congress.

            --Memo of Settlement of Mr. Lincoln's Estate.

 

1869

Feb. 20--Springfield, Illinois; Will. H. Herndon to Davis; describes his collection of Lincoln manuscripts; wants to know their value and Davis' opinion about selling them to Ward H. Lamon.

Mar. 25--Indianapolis; J. D. Howland to Davis; judicial affairs, Judiciary bill.

Mar. 25--Indianapolis; Davis McDonald to Davis; change in Judicial system.

 Davis to G. L. Edmonds of U. S. Senate; regarding personal estate of late Pres. Lincoln.

 

1870

Aug. 27--(York); (C. S.) Black to Davis; regarding Lamon's biography of Lincoln.

Nov. 10--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; Tad's allowance and his mother's financial affairs.

 

1871

June 19--Martinsburg, W. Va.; Ward Hill Lamon to Davis; assures him of his support in Davis' bid for presidential nomination.

Sept. 19--Settlement with Court of Probate of Sangamon Co., Illinois; signed by Robt. T. Lincoln.

Oct. 28--Washington; Davis to "David"; Chicago Fire.

 

1872

Apr. 8--(Sumner), Lawrence Co., Illinois; S. D. Norton to Davis; congratulations upon Davis' nomination for presidency tendered by Laboring Men's Assoc. of Ohio.

 

1873

Dec. 17--Springfield, Illinois' James A. Reed to Davis ; truth of evidence in Lamon's book regarding Lincoln's religious beliefs.

 

1874

June 23--Bloomington; Davis to (Henry Syle); appointment of Benjamin N. Bristow as Secy. Of Treasury.

Sept. 15--San Jose, Calif.; (W. L. Gresham) to Davis; judicial affairs; Republican Party in California; Bristow's Petition.

Nov. 7--Chicago; John Wentworth to Davis; result of November 4, election.

Nov. 24--(Place illegible); (Jesse Fall) to Davis; possible political effects of election.

--Chicago; excerpt from a letter by Leonard Swett regarding an incident in connection with Pres. Grant's reception at the Palmer House during a visit to Chicago.

 

1875

Apr. 15--Indianapolis; J. D. Howland to Davis; Rep. Party; recent elections; corrupt Democratic City Govt. etc.

May 24--Chicago; Leonard Swett to Davis; full description of circumstances leading to the commitment of Mary Lincoln to an insane asylum--evidence of her insanity; proceedings at her trial; her defense by Mr. Arnold; her surrender of her bonds; attempts to take poison, etc.

June 5--Washington; R. W. Johnson to Davis; appointment of a Negro to the Post Office in Little Rock, Ark.

Oct. 13--Springfield, Illinois; (Jesse) Dubois to Leonard Swett; possibility of presenting Davis' name for the presidential nomination.

Nov. 13--(Williamson); S. G. Morrison to Davis; Davis' name mentioned for presidential nomination of 1876.

Nov. 16--Chicago; Robt. T. Lincoln to Davis; Lincoln's mother--her mental condition, finances, etc.

 

1876

Jan. 24--St. Augustine, Illinois; H. Chrisman to Davis; Davis' candidacy for presidential nomination.

Apr. 10--Chicago; John Wentworth to (Davis); plans of National Committee of Independents.

Apr. 10--Copy of letter written by Davis (evidently to Thos. Richardson, stating views on currency question.

May 27--Washington; A. Chester to Davis; thanks Davis, in name of California settlers, for his decision as member of Supreme Court in case of (Sawyer) vs. Newhall

 

1877

Apr. 6--Chicago; A. I. Grover to Davis; in interest of Greenback cause and Independent Party.

Apr. 11--Davis' remarks before the Illinois Legislature, Springfield, upon his election as U. S. Senator.

Apr. 23--Bloomington, Illinois; Davis to A. I. Grover; Davis' election to Senate a compromise of political parties and he thus occupies an independent position as Senator.

Apr. 27--Board of Trade, N.Y.; Wallace P. Groom to Davis; Davis' support of National Paper Money (full legal tender).

May 30--Decatur, Illinois S. I. Jacks to Davis; session of Illinois Legislature at Springfield--Ill politics and politicians discussed.

June 3--Chicago; J. W. Wickizer to Davis; concerning Gen. Logan.

June 7--Indianapolis; W. O. Gresham to Davis; concerning Benjamin W. Briston; other political affairs of Indiana and Illinois

Aug. 16--Indianapolis; C. W. Fairbanks to "Mr. Bishop"; collectorship at Chicago; other local political affairs.

Aug. 16--Chicago; D. F. Stony to Davis; Collectorship at Chicago.

Oct. 25--St. Louis; Samuel Treat to Hon. Samuel F. Miller of U. S. Supreme Court; changes in U. S. statutes affecting the Judiciary; Senator Davis preparing a bill to be submitted to Congress with reference thereto.

            --(Without specific date); material relating to the Electoral Commission of 1877. 1folder

 

1879

May 1--Springfield; Hon. Richardson Vasey to Davis; politics of Illinois Legislature.

May 3--Springfield; Chas. J. Robinson to Davis; Ill Legislature.

May 10--Oregon City, Tex.; E. Recinan to Davis; Texas Editors favor Davis' nomination for president.

June 4--Quincy, Illinois; circular letter to Davis; River Improvement Convention

June 6--Chicago; Carter H. Harrison to Davis; possibility of Davis' appearance in Chicago; State politics.

June 9--Halltown, W. Va.; John H. Strider to Davis; Davis' nomination for President

June 10--Albany, N.Y.; Wm. D. Murphy to Davis; question of Davis' nomination for President.

Aug. 18--Chicago; M. W. Robinson to Davis; wants him to accept leadership of Democratic Party for 1880.

            --Newspaper clippings; some concerning political affairs, etc.

 

1880

Apr. 28--Boston; Chas. Francis Adams to Davis; Davis' remarks on Geneva Award Bill.

May 15--Copy of Davis' reply to Apr. 28 letter of Chas. Francis Adams (above).

July--Bloomington; Davis to -----; corruption in Republican Party--its mission ended; will support Gen. Hancock.

Sept. 5--Washington; Jas. E. Harvey to Davis; outlook favorable to Hancock; Indiana, politics discussed.

 

1881

Feb. 17--Mentor, O.; J. A. Garfield to Davis; considering Robt. T. Lincoln for cabinet position.

Mar. 1--Chicago; Chas. L. Easton to Davis; Davis' vote in U. S. Senate--as Republican or Democrat.

Mar. 27--Indianapolis; Judge Gresham to Davis; Garfield's cabinet

Aug. 18--Washington; Jas. E. Harvey to Davis; Garfield's cabinet.

Sept. 18--Saratoga; F. D. Thurber to Davis; National Anti-Monopoly League.

 

1882

Feb. 4--"Oatlands", near Cartersville, (Ga.); R. A. Felton to Davis; Republican Party in Georgia.

 

1883

Mar. 8--Last Will & Testament of David Davis; Probate Record of the Estate of David Davis, McLean Co., Illinois

Dec. 2--Denver, Colo.; Ward Hill Lamon to Davis; legislation sought by Railway Co. from Congress.

 

1884

Jan. 4--Chicago; Isaac Newton Arnold to Davis; Arnold's address upon Mr. Lincoln before the Royal Hist. Society of London.

Jan. 29--Washington; Lee Crandall to Davis; wants to hold convention of Greenback-Labor Party and nominate Davis for President.

Feb. 9--Chicago; Thos. Drummond to Davis; Davis' Bill for Courts of Appeal.

Feb. 11--Washington (Post Office Dept.); W. O. Gresham to Davis; national politics; President's position, etc.

June 10--Chicago; Leonard Swett to Davis; good discussion of proceedings in Republican National Convention.

July 1--Washington; Jas. E. Harvey to Davis; Rep. Natl. Convention.

July 3--Washington; Wm. H. Parish to Davis; Rep. Natl. Convention.

Nov. 29--Bloomington; Davis to Gov. Cleveland (Pres. elect of U. S.); concerning Cleveland's cabinet.

 

1885

May 22--Charleston, (Illinois); O. B. Tricklin to Davis; concerning publication of memoirs of (Usher F.) Linder.

July 7, July 23--Denver, Colo.; 2 letters by Ward Hill Lamon to Leonard Swett; regarding Swett's derogatory reference to Lamon's relationship with Lincoln; Lamon's bitter feelings toward Robt. T. Lincoln.

July 25--Denver, Colo.; Ward H. Lamon to Davis; estrangement between Lamon and Swett; berates Robt. T. Lincoln.